Former Celtic defender Efe Ambrose has joined Championship side Greenock Morton after a stint training with their rivals Hamilton Accies.
The 34-year-old - who has also had spells at Livingston, St Johnstone, Hibs and Dunfermline - had been maintaining his fitness at New Douglas Park since the summer and Accies boss John Rankin repeatedly stated they had no intention of signing him.
However, after helping the Nigerian stay fit, he has now joined a rival club in their division who sit eight points above rock bottom Accies, and will be set to play against the South Lanarkshire side when they next meet in January.
Announcing his signing, a Morton statement read: “Greenock Morton are delighted to announce the signing of Efe Ambrose on a deal until the end of the season.
"Efe joins the team as a highly experienced defender, playing almost 200 games in the Scottish Premiership, where he won the league with Celtic on four occasions, and has made just under 50 appearances for his national team and was part of the Nigeria side that lifted the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013."
Speaking earlier today before the signing was announced, Accies boss John Rankin admitted Ambrose had departed to find a full-time deal.
He said: "I don't know where Efe is going. But he did leave us here 10 days ago.
"He was pursuing a full-time playing contract - for the end of his playing days, basically - that involved coaching. He was brilliant when he came in here, great with the kids, really infectious, set standards for the younger ones, and gave really good advice.
"But you expect that when he has played at World Cups and Champions League level.
"Last week he came and said he wanted to try something else."
During his stint at Celtic, Ambrose won six trophies and was also part of the side which famously beat Barcelona in the Champions League in 2012.
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